There are ways

to beat the heat

By Tribune Staff

It's July.

We live in Nebraska.

And it's hot.

We might not be sweltering right now, but it's never too early to think about ways to keep cool. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has some tips to do just that.

High temperatures and high humidity can be a deadly combination, health officials said. Temperatures of 90-plus degrees and humidity levels of 40 percent or more put people in the danger zone for heat-related illness, which happens when the body's temperature control system is overloaded.

The body normally cools itself by sweating. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly.

“Infants and the elderly are the most at risk from high temperatures,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, chief medical officer and director of the Division of Public Health. “Check on elderly neighbors and friends to see if they are keeping cool.”

Other people who are at increased risk are the obese, chronically ill and people who take certain medicines, such as antidepressants and tranquilizers, that interfere with the body's temperature regulation, Schaefer said.

Heat-related illnesses and death are readily preventable. Schaefer suggested to:

* Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned places.

* Drink plenty of water and don't wait until you are thirsty to drink.

* Avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine.

* Wear loose, light-colored clothing.

* If outdoor activity is unavoidable, slow your pace and take frequent rest breaks to cool off.

* Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

* Try to rest often in shady areas.

* Protect your skin by using a sunscreen lotion with a protective factor of 15 or greater and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Sunburn interferes with the body's job of heat dissipation, and too much sun exposure is a risk factor for skin cancer.

Being in an air-conditioned place for a few hours each day will reduce the risk of heat-related illness, Schaefer said. Fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

Fremont and area residents should get a break from those 90-degree temperatures after today.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Valley said thunderstorms - some possibly severe - are likely this evening. The chance of rain is 70 percent.

After an overnight low in the mid 60s, Thursday is expected to be not as warm with a high in the lower 80s under partly sunny skies. The low should be in the lower 60s.

Friday's forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a high in the mid 80s and a low in the mid 60s.